ARHA INTRODUCES NRHA SHORT STIRRUP CLASS FOR RIDERS 10 & UNDER
Saddle Up and Ride, Youngsters, This Class is Just for You
(Scottsdale, AZ) – The Arabian Reining Horse Association (ARHA) announces the addition of an exciting new opportunity for young riders to compete at the eleventh Annual Arabian and Half-Arabian Reining Horse Futurities February 13 through 23, 2014 in the Wells Fargo Arena at West World of Scottsdale. For the first time the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has approved the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) based Youth 10 & Under Short Stirrup class and added it to the class schedule.
Short Stirrup classes provide an especially designed riding pattern for young riders who might still be too small for safe and comfortable managing of traditional reining patterns. The Short Stirrup NRHA Pattern #11 eliminates speed and flying lead changes and keeps the event safer and easier. This is an ideal event for youth to compete on Arabian Horsemanship horses or by riding older, semi-retired reiners. Riders in this class are not required to own their own horses and the class does not count for NRHA Top Ten standings.
PHOTO CREDIT: Avalon Photography
“We recognize that owning and riding reining horses is very much a family commitment. Adding this class to our event gives even the youngest family members an opportunity to participate,” says ARHA business manager, Phyllis LaMalfa who leads the production of the ARHA show.
Eleanor Hamilton, president of the ARHA considers the addition of this class another key element in maintaining the steady growing interest in Arabian and Half-Arabian reining horses. “Not only does this class give very young riders a chance to begin showing reining horses, we create a new opportunity for our older reining horses to continue to do what they are trained to do but at a physical level that is comfortable for them as they age. These horses love the sport, they like the attention and they have such good minds, and they know how to care for their riders. This is a very good fit for our horses that are known to form special bonds between with young children.”
Since the NRHA held its first Futurity in 1996 membership has expanded worldwide with hundreds of competitions and continuing growth of the sport. The NRHA’s Judging System is a highly acclaimed format for the judging of equine events that includes technical and stylistic elements coupled with considerable difficulty.
Founded in 1998, the Arabian Reining Horse Association (ARHA) promotes the natural athletic abilities and versatility of Arabian and Half Arabian horses. This event pays some $175,000 in prize monies, plus saddles, trophies and buckles to Futurity winners and is widely considered as the premier event for these reining horses and riders. Reining is the fastest growing of all disciplines within the Arabian breed.
The Wells Fargo Advisors Arena is located on the southeast side of the showgrounds at West World. See complete schedule and additional information, including a downloadable .pdf of the Shor Stirrup Pattern 12 at www.ARHA.net.
PHOTO CREDIT: Avalon Photography
